A review of the literature is:

• It is literally that: a "re" view or "look again" at what has already been written about the topic. It is not a literary review, which usually is a review of a literary work such as a play, novel, book of poems or a review that has some artistic merit.
• A compilation of the research that has been published on a topic by recognized scholars and researchers.
• Defined by a guiding concept (e.g., your research objective, the problem or issue you are discussing or your argumentative thesis). It is not just a descriptive list of the material available, or a set of summaries.
• Provides background for the problem the students are attacking or put the problem into historical perspective and, at times, show how others handled similar problems in the past.

In writing the literature review, your purpose is:

• To convey to your reader what knowledge and ideas have been established on a topic.
• What their strengths and weaknesses might be.

As a piece of writing a literature review:

• Is most often it is part of the introduction to an essay, research report, or thesis.
• Occasionally it will be a complete piece in and of itself.

Mohanty, S. (2003., Wednesday, February 5, 2003). How Do I Conduct a Literature Review? Retrieved April 16,2003, 2003, from http://www.lib.unc.edu/house/how_do_i/researching/conduct_a_literature_review.html

Procter, D. M. (2002, February 28, 2002). The Literature Review: A Few Tips On Conducting It. Retrieved April16, 2003, from http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/specific-types-of-writing/literature-review

Gerstenfeld, S. V. (2003, June 28, 2001,). Literature Review. Retrieved April16,2003, 2003, from http://www.wpi.edu/academics/GPP/Students/ch6.html

Next